Geauga County Safety Center

Last updated by Mark Miclette

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Geauga County

Geauga County Safety Center

The 182-bed Geauga County Safety Center answers inmate information calls at 440-279-2009 ext. 3 24 hours a day.

This is where the county brings people arrested for misdemeanors and felonies for booking and processing. Depending on the charges, some are bonded out or released on their own recognizance, and some are held until their trial is resolved.

Use the inmate search tool to look through the roster of people who have been arrested and are still in custody.

After sentencing, those with less than a year to serve remain at the jail. Those with more than a year to serve are transferred to the Ohio State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page offers information on the visitation schedule and rules, depositing funds, mailing letters, inmate phone calls, voicemail, email and text messaging, tablets, bail bonds, and commissary purchases.

Always save the inmate’s jail ID or booking number, which you may need for mail. If it isn’t online, call Geauga County Safety Center at 440-279-2009 ext. 3.

Phone: 440-279-2009 ext. 3

Physical Address:
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, OH 44024

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Geauga County Safety Center?

To search for an inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up Geauga County Criminal Court Cases online, as well as cases in every other county in Ohio.

Geauga County Safety Center Inmate Search

The Geauga County Safety Center maintains an average of 182 offenders in custody on any given day. The Geauga County Safety Center has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Geauga County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 4,560 offenders.

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About the Geauga County Safety Center

The Geauga County Jail, also known as the Geauga County Safety Center was completed and opened in 2005, with updates that were current with the build year. It offers several beds for both male and female inmates, as well as separations for those who are in the Work Release program. It also includes cells that are wired with a camera for those who are being separated for their own safety, for being a threat to others, and for anyone who is on suicide watch. 84 beds are for the general population males, 38 for females, and 60 for the work release program.

Work Release allows for learning or improving skills through working while incarcerated. It also helps to build a space in the community and ensure that they are employable and have needed skills to reintegrate into society upon their release. To encourage outside relationships and to maintain a place in the community visitation is encouraged and can be done via video calls during visiting hours.

Visiting hours occur from 9:00AM to 10:00PM. These calls can be made onsite or remotely from home, and are 25 minutes long. To assist further in creating a strong sense of community and skill building classes such as community service, educational classes, GED or diploma classes and opportunities, a full library is available, and life skills programs are all available for every inmate.

Mail can be received every day and is processed and passed to the inmates quickly, however the jail also uses a digital service to help avoid contraband entering the facility. Friends and family of inmates in the Geauga County Safety Center can arrange to visit inmates by video, both at the jail and remotely from home. They can also send them money and buy them commissary online, and set up a phone account that allows the inmates to call them during the day and evening seven days a week.

All the information on these inmate services can be found in the sections below.  If you still have questions, you can phone the jail 24 hours a day by calling 440-279-2009 ext. 3.

Helpful Information Brochure

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

Understanding the booking process at Geauga County Safety Center

After an arrest, individuals are taken to Geauga County Safety Center where they go through booking. This process includes identifying the person, reviewing charges, and determining whether they will be released on their own, eligible for bail, or detained until their court date.

It’s crucial to remain silent after being arrested. Anything said may be used in court, so it’s better to refrain from speaking until consulting with an attorney.

The following steps outline the booking procedure at Geauga County Safety Center:

  • Personal identification verification.
  • Taking photographs (mugshots).
  • Medical and mental health assessment, as well as inquiries about substance use.
  • Possibly collecting DNA samples.
  • Performing a full-body search.
  • Seizing personal belongings for safekeeping.
  • Allowing one phone call.

Booking can take from a short hour to longer periods, especially on busy nights or with uncooperative individuals. For inquiries about posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 440-279-2009 ext. 3.

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Directions / Map to the Geauga County Safety Center
Inmate Bail and Bonding

Paying bail for someone in custody in Geauga County

Once someone is booked at Geauga County Safety Center in Chardon after an arrest, there are several outcomes:

1. They may be released without paying bail, agreeing to show up on a scheduled date.
2. They may remain in custody until their court appearance.
3. They can pay a bail or bond for release. Call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for bail details.

Bail payments can take several forms.

  • The full cash bond is paid at the jail's bonding window or at the clerk of court using cash, a cashier's check or a money order, while many jails add a card option at a lobby kiosk or through an online bond service for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and call the jail at 440-279-2009 ext. 3 with questions.
  • A licensed bail bond agent in Geauga County can help cover bail.
  • Many courts take real estate as security for a bond; the property owner must show clear title plus equity at least equal to the bond, often twice it, backed by a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set the bail gives final approval.

For detailed information about the bail process in Geauga County, Ohio, see the Geauga County Safety Center Bail FAQ.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center? What is the Schedule?

Geauga County Safety Center ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, OH 44024
440-279-2009 ext. 3

  • On-site Visits are free
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an On-site video session. A 3rd guest is allowed if it is a child and no more than 6 years old.
  • All visits must be made at least 12 hours in advance online with Inmate Sales or by calling them at 877-998-5678.
  • The registering visitor must be at least 18 years of age and provide a valid, government issued photo identification during the initial registration process.
  • Visitors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present during the video visit.
  • Each visit is for 25 minutes.
  • Each inmate is allowed 1 visits per day, and only 2 visits per week onsite at the facility.
  • Inmates may have one remote visit per day.
  • Visitors and inmates are responsible for being present at the start of the scheduled video visit.
  • Visitors and inmates signing in late will only receive the balance of the remaining time for the scheduled video visit.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
MONDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
TUESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
THURSDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
FRIDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Geauga County Safety Center REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • Remote Visits cost approximately $0.20 per minute for 25 minute visit. 
  • Remote visitation is allowed 1 per day and 7 per week at $0.20 per minute.
  • All visits must be scheduled at least 12 hours in advance.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
MONDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
TUESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
THURSDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
FRIDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Geauga County Safety Center uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.

In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:

  1. Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
  2. Register with Inmate Sales.
  3. Find Geauga County Safety Center
  4. Select 'New Purchase'
  5. Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
  6. Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
  7. Schedule a visit.

Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center?

Geauga County Safety Center ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, OH 44024
440-279-2009 ext. 3

  • On-site Visits are free
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per an On-site video session. A 3rd guest is allowed if it is a child and no more than 6 years old.
  • All visits must be made at least 12 hours in advance online with Inmate Sales or by calling them at 877-998-5678.
  • The registering visitor must be at least 18 years of age and provide a valid, government issued photo identification during the initial registration process.
  • Visitors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present during the video visit.
  • Each visit is for 25 minutes.
  • Each inmate is allowed 1 visits per day, and only 2 visits per week onsite at the facility.
  • Inmates may have one remote visit per day.
  • Visitors and inmates are responsible for being present at the start of the scheduled video visit.
  • Visitors and inmates signing in late will only receive the balance of the remaining time for the scheduled video visit.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
MONDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
TUESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
THURSDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
FRIDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Geauga County Safety Center REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

  • Remote Visits cost approximately $0.20 per minute for 25 minute visit. 
  • Remote visitation is allowed 1 per day and 7 per week at $0.20 per minute.
  • All visits must be scheduled at least 12 hours in advance.
DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
MONDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
TUESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
THURSDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
FRIDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
SATURDAY 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person. 
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.

Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Geauga County Safety Center uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.

Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union. Call the Geauga County Safety Center first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the payee the jail names (check with the jail first) and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order. Never mail cash or a personal check.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224


Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Geauga County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Geauga County Safety Center follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Geauga County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Ohio, then choose Geauga County Safety Center
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Geauga County Safety Center, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: JailATM's support page lists a deposit limit of $300 a week per inmate and says the limit can be different at each facility.
  • If you need to phone JailATM customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Geauga County Safety Center, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Geauga County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center?

How Do Inmates in Geauga County Safety Center Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Geauga County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Geauga County Safety Center uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
  • Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678. 
  • Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Geauga County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

For all the information regarding phone calls with Geauga County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center, and what can I send them?

Geauga County Safety Center Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
Ask the Geauga County Safety Center whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Geauga County Safety Center also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224



Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
Ask the Geauga County Safety Center whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Geauga County Safety Center standards will be disposed of. 
Ask the Geauga County Safety Center whether hardcover books are accepted.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224

Geauga County Safety Center Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Geauga County Safety Center there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the Geauga County Safety Center:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Geauga County Jail
12450 Merritt Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024-0224


For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center, and what can I purchase?

Commissary can be purchased at Geauga County Safety Center twice a week... Tuesdays and Fridays... with funds deposited by friends and family members of the inmate. 

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Geauga County Safety Center using an Online Messaging Service?

Geauga County Safety Center uses the services of Inmate Sales to allow text messaging communication between inmates and their friends and family.


Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.  
This product allows inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.


Here's how it works:

  • First you must register, and then funds are added to the inmate's account. If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
  • When an inmate gets the device they may send 5 free automated messages each day for the first three days of possession of the chirping device.  
  • These automated messages will inform the person the inmate Chirped who is sending the Chirps and the facility they are Chirping from.
  • It will then ask them to go to a direct link to the inmate's account on the Inmate Sales website.
  • The website will then instruct them to use a credit card to put money on the inmate's account.  

Cost of Chirping:  

  •  
  • If an inmate has available funds on their chirping device they will be able to chirp any cell phone and that chirp will appear to be a normal text. 
  • If you wish to stop receiving Chirps from an inmate, reply to the Chirp with STOP.

iphone app
Google Play app

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Geauga County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Geauga County Safety Center follow these steps:

  • Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Geauga County, by creating an account.
  • Select Ohio, then select Geauga County Safety Center, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

-  Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.  
-  This product allows Geauga County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
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-  

Inmate Sales Apps

iphone app
Google Play app

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Geauga County Safety Center check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Geauga County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Geauga County Safety Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Geauga County Safety Center now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.


Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.

The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:

  • Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
  • eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture.
  • Job Search - Inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
  • Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
  • Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
  • Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
  • Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
  • eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
  • Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
  • Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
  • Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.

Here's how it works:

Questions:

iphone app download

Google Play download

Geauga County Safety Center now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.


Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.

The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:

Here's how it works:

Questions:

iphone app download

Google Play download

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Geauga County Safety Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 440-279-2009 ext. 3 for further assistance.

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Other Jails in Geauga County

What are the other City and County Jails in Geauga County?

Geauga County County Jails
Geauga County Juvenile Facilities
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Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Geauga County?

Geauga Trumbull Ashtabula Portage Lake Cuyahoga
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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Geauga County